Shays remains a staunch advocate of the Bush administration's position in Iraq

Shays remains a staunch advocate of the Bush administration's position in Iraq, and a behind-the-scenes player in the decisions there. Shays is chairman of the National Security Subcommittee of the Government Reform Committee, which covers all matters relating to national security, including anti-terrorism efforts. He has traveled to Iraq nine times in the past three years and said it is those trips which have convinced him of the necessity of the United States presence in Iraq. "I know I have made a significant difference in improving our policy," he said. "I learn firsthand what is happening in Iraq and interface with the State Department and the White House." Congressman Chris Shays of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji in the 1960's.

Fourth District Congressman Chris Shays, in a visit to Westport this week, emphasized his work on a newly passed transportation bill which he said will bring a total of $93 million to the district, including $49.6 million to Bridgeport and $35 million to Stamford.

[Excerpt]

Shays remains a staunch advocate of the Bush administration's position in Iraq, and a behind-the-scenes player in the decisions there. Shays is chairman of the National Security Subcommittee of the Government Reform Committee, which covers all matters relating to national security, including anti-terrorism efforts. He has traveled to Iraq nine times in the past three years and said it is those trips which have convinced him of the necessity of the United States presence in Iraq.

"Churchill was called a buffoon, but he took a stand against dictatorship," Shays said. "We must as well."

"I know I have made a significant difference in improving our policy," he said. "I learn firsthand what is happening in Iraq and interface with the State Department and the White House."

Shays said he was able to bring Arabic speakers and Iraqi Americans to the American presence, and realized on his second visit that there was no emphasis on the rebuilding of Iraq after the invasion. "I said this is crazy," he commented.

Traveling with Save the Children, Shays also recognized the need for an increased number of experts to take apart explosive devices which were taking innocent lives, and was able to meet with President Bush to work on that issue.

Shays argued that the importance of elections in Iraq cannot be underestimated. "More people voted in that election that in ours - over 60 percent of the population voted," he said.

Shays also called for a strong condemnation by the Muslim community of terrorist acts. "The rise in fundametalism has been there and now it's out in the open," he said. "If you add up all the wealth of the 21 Arab states, who control two-thirds of the world's oil, their gross domestic product is equal to that of Spain. They exclude women from participating in the economy. They are losing ground with the West. They are offended and concerned about it and they blame us for their failures."

"We have $300 billion in Iraq. We will not get that back but we will ultimately see a changed Middle East," said Shays.

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Story Source: Westport Minuteman

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Fiji; Politics; Congress

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